Diaphragm pump



Jan. 28, 1947: v F|NNEY 2,414,806

DIAPHRAGM PUMP 13 g pvAT-LABEE 'GQPY Filed Sept. '7, 1942 s Sheets-Sheet1 I JOHN H-\/-F'|NNEY INVENTOR BY I 1947- J. H; v. FINNEY 12,414,805

DIAPHRAGM PUMP Filed Sept. 7, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I JOHN H.V.F|NNEYINVENTOR.

Jan- 23, 1947- J. H. v. FINNEY 2,414,306

DIAPHRAGM PUMP Filed Sept. "-7, 1942 E SheetS -Shae't '3 V JOHN PatentedJan. 28, 1947 UNITED1 STATES PATENT OFFIC 2,414,806 DIAPHRAGM PUMP JohnH. V. Finney, Denver, Colo., assignor to This invention relates todiaphragm pumps and I more particularly relates to pumps of thecombination suction and pressure type.

Pumps of this general type utllize'reciprocat ing mechanism producingalternate pressure and suction influences in a chamber in the pump withliquid expelled therefrom'bypressure inj provide a'double diaphragmpump, in which one diaphragm is utilized to efiect the suction lift,

while the other is utilized to develop head of the pump.

Another object of the invention is 'to provide actuating mechanism for apump of the. double diaphragm type by which rotary motion is convertedinto straight line reciprocating motion in" a simple, efiicient andeconomical manner.

Other objects reside in novel combinations and arrangements of parts anda novel mode of operation, all of which-willbe described in greater thepressure detail in the course of the followingdescription- To afi'ord abetter understanding of th invention reference will be made to theaccompanying drawings illustrating a typical embodiment of theinvention. In the drawings, in the several views of which like partshave been designated similarly, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a pumpembodying the features'of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical central section through the apparatus illustratedin Figure 1; and I Figure 3 is; an end elevation of the pump.

Suitable valve regula- Mining Process and Patent Company, Denver, 0010.,a corporation of Delaware Applicationseptcmbcr 7,1942, Serial No. 45153313 Claims. (Cl. 103-150) 2 tachment of a suitable fluid supply element(not shown) such as a lose.

A second passage l0. preferably having its lengthwise axis concentricwith the axis of pas- -sage I extends from the upper side of housing 5and the upperend of passage 10 has means l2 for connection with asuitable conductive element (not shown). The lower end of passage II)also is provided with a seat Illa for'a second ball.

The openings in the outer end of housing 5 are closed by sectional wallmembers l4, while the inner end of the housing terminates in an annularrim l5 shouldered at Hi to provide a seat for a diaphragm unit I! whichis bolted thereon as shown at l8.

The housing 5 also is provided with a pressureequalizing passage l9, oneend .of which terminates in the intake Opening 7 asindicated at 20,while the opposite end extends through the diaphragm member I! into thespace 2| between two flexible diaphragm members 22 and 23, each of whichis convex on the side in space H and V concave on the-opposite side, thepurpose of which willbe described hereinafter.

The diaphragm member I! comprises an annular rim section 24 of generallyU-shaped section, against the opposite sides of which the diaphragmmembers 22 and 23 are placed and held by two clamping rings 25 and 26.Bolts 21 holdthese parts in their assembled relation.

An opening is provided in member 24 for admission of atmospheric airinto the space 2| between the diaphragms 22 and 23, and asuitable valve28 permits selective control of such air admission.

The diaphragms are adapted for flexure through the provision of amovable clamping member designated generally by the reference numeral29. This member comprises an end plate 30 carrying a central stop member3|, a spacing ring 32 inserted between the diaphragms 22 and 23, and asecond clamping rin 33, all of the same being held in place by bolts 34.The

plate 33 in turn is connected to an end plate 35 carried on a crosshead36 of actuating *mech-.

anism 6 by means of a bolt 31, the-inner end of which abuts stop 3i Theactuating mechanism in this embodiment l The housing 5 has at its lowerend an intake? opening I the upper end of which provides a seat la for aball -8, while the lower end of "the intake passage is provided withmeans 9 rural;-

of the invention comprises a rotary shaft 38 jourpivotal connection witha shaft 45, with which crosshead 36 also is pivotally connected. Asecond the cycle of its movement by eccentric 39.

The crosshead 36 and its associated reciprocating member 29' aresupported for movement sub- I stantially parallel to base 4 through theprovision of two rocker arms 48 and 49, the lower ends of which arepivotally connected with two shafts 50 and 5| respectively, on base 4.The axes of these shafts are in the same horizontal plane and they arespaced the same distance as the axes of shafts 45 and '46 but invertical relation are midway between the extreme range of movement ofthe associated shafts 46 and.

' In operation the inlet 1 is connected with asuitable source of fluidsupply through attachmerit of a conduit on means 9 and provision is alsomade for disposal of liquid discharged through outlet I by connection ofa suitable conduit with attachment means l2.

The shaft 38 driven by a suitable prime mover (not shown) rotates theeccentric 39 with the result that an oscillating movement is imparted toshaft 45 on which the end of connecting rod 4| is mounted.

Through the arrangement of 'pivotal supports for crosshead 36, movementof shaft 45 imparts a substantially straight line motion to the end ofcrosshead 36 carrying diaphragm member 29, with the result that thediaphragms 22 and 23 are moved one way during the forward stroke and inanalternate way during thereturn stroke. This diaphragm assemblyprovides with walls of housing an enclosure for a pressure chamber 52extending between inlet 1 and outlet Ill. The

elevates ball I3 from its seat, with the result that liquid in chamber52 is forced through outlet l0 and its associated conduit.

In the aforesa d action. the return stroke causes a flexure of dia hra m22 which creates a vacuum in the suction line throu h e ualiz ng passagel9 drawing liquid up toward the pump. stroke, the inner diaphragm 23merely follows along. but does overcome the very slight additionalvacuum required to raise ball 8 off seat la. As a consequence of theseactions during the,

return stroke the vacuum produced by outer diaphragm22 with valve 8 openextends through space 2|, equalizing passage |9, chamber 52 and in thesuction line connected with intake 1. As the vacuum is essentially thesame in space 2| and chamber 52, the inner diaphragm '23 has no tendencyto change from its convex shap to a concave shape. Due to the vacuum socreated liquid flows .in through intake 1 filling equalizing passage I9and space 2| as well as chamber 52.

On the forward stroke, inner diaphragm 23 alone forces the liquid inchamber 52 past ball l3 and through outlet passage I0. In this actionouter diaphragm 22 merely follows along. However, vacuum is maintainedin space 2| duringv this stroke, due to the weight of the column of Onthis 1 4 liquid beneath intake I exerted through equalizing passage l9.

Thus on both the forward and return strokes the outer diaphragm. 22 isunder a partial vacuum,

substantially uniform at all-times there is little or no flow of fluidthroughequalizing passage I9 during normal operation. a

It also is intended to permit additional control of the suction actionby introduction of air into space 2| between the diaphragms. For thispurpose a valve 28 communicates with the atmosphere through the wall ofrim member 24, andv this valve can be adjusted to admit a selectivevolume of air into the space 2|. A petcock-type valve has beenillustrated but it will be understood any suitable valve mechanismperforming the same function may be substituted in place thereof.

ment of parts, the following advantages are derived:

1. The outer diaphragm does the work of lifting the liquid to the pump.

chargingthe liquid from the pump.

3. There is at all times a partial vacuum on the outer diaphragm.

4. On the suction stroke there is no pressure on either side of theinner diaphragm while on so the discharge stroke thepressure on theinner diaphragm is equal to the total head against which the pump isoperating.

5. Slight variations in the volume between dia- 5 phragms as occurbetween mid stroke and extreme stroke, are compensated for by the freeflow of 7 liquid through the equalizing passage. 6. The direction ofpressure on each of the two pressure is' always exerted against theconcave side of each diaphragm. That is, during the suction stroke, theair pressure outside tends to exceed the pressure in space 2|, but such.excess pressure is exerted against the concave side of diaphragm 22.Also, during the pumping stroke. the pressure in chamber 52 exceeds thepressure in space 2|, but is exerted against the concave side ofdiaphragm 23. Thus. both diaphragms By reason of this combination andarrange diaphragms is never reversed, and the greatertend to retainshape at all times, regardless of the direction in which the pumpplunger ismoving, and there is no tendency for either diaphragm tochange from concave to convex or vice versa. 7 r

7. Since the pressure on the outerdiaphragm is always inward, thefailure of either diaphragm leakage and no liquid is spilled.

8. Regulation as to the amount of liquid being pumped, can be effectedby a valve 28 which perthe space between diaphragms.

9. While there is at all times a partial vacuum behind the outerdiaphragm, slight leakages and the admission of regulation air 'into thespace between diaphragms resultin there being little or results in aninward leakage .of air or an internal mits more or less controlledleakageof air into, 1

'no actual liquid in the space between diaphragms.

While any suitable form of valve and seat arand as the space 2| betweenthe diaphragms is t 2. The inner diaphragm does the work of disarespectively, and balls of suitable size and weight are provided to:seat thereon. However, various types of valves are employed for thispurpose in the reciprocating pump art and it is within the intention of.the present invention that such other valve control may besubstitutedwhere desired.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A pump of the character described. comprising a housing having anintake passageand a discharge outlet distant therefrom, two flexiblediaphragms supported in spaced relation in the housing and defining witha wall of the housing. a pressure chamber betweenthe intake and theoutlet, said diaphragms being in coni cave relation oppositely to eachother throughout the stroke of the pump. there being apressureequalizing passage in the housing, one end of which extends toand is connected with the intake passage, and the other end of whichterminates in the space between the diaphragms, a

pressure-actuated valve for controlling the flow of fluid through thedischarge outlet, a, suctionactuated valve for controlling the flow offluid through the intake passage, and, reciprocating mechanism forflexing said diaphragms.

2. A pump of theicharacter described, comprising a housing havin anintake and a discharge outlet distant therefrom, two flexiblediaphragmssupported in spacedrelationin the housing and defining with awall of the housing a pressure chamber between the intake and theoutlet, there beinga pressure-equalizing passage in the hous- .ing, oneend of which terminates at the intake space between the diaphra'gms,means, including a valve, for admittingj atmospheric air into the "spacebetween the diaphra m, a pressure-actu 6 Q terminates at the intakepassage end of which terminates inthe space betweenthe diaphragms, apressure-actuated valve for conchamber between the intake and theoutlet, said diaphragms being in concave relation oppositely to eachother throughout-the stroke of the: pump, there being apressure-equalizing passage in the housing. one end of which terminatesat the intake and the other end of which terminates in the space betweenthe diaphragms, a ball valve for controlling the flowof fluid throughthe discharge outlet, a ball valve for controlling the flow of fluidthrough the intake, and reciprocating mechanism for flexing saiddiaphragms. 6. In a pressure pump, inclusive of a suctio line, adischarge line, and a pressure chamber,

a closure for a side of said chamber comprising a pair of spaceddiaphragm members mounted to maintain a concave relation oppositelyto'each other during movement together in opposite directions tocreatealternate pressure and suction influences in said chamber, said chamberhaving a conductive passage extending from the space between saiddiaphragms to a, point in the suction line at the intake side thereofand subject to the suction influences of said line for reducing pressurebetween said diaphragms.

7. In a pressure pump, inclusive of a suction line, a discharge line,and a pressure chamber, and the otherend of which terminatesin the 40 aclosure for a side of said chamber comprising a pair of spaced diaphragmmember mounted to maintain a concave relation oppositely to eachcontrolling the flow of'fiuid through the intake,

and reciprocating mechanism for flexing said diaphragms.

3. A pump of the character described, comprising a housing having anintake and a discharge outlet distant therefrom; two flexible diaphragmssupported in spaced relation in thehousing and ing; one end of whichterminates at the intake .and the other end of which terminates in theother during movement together in opposite directions to createalternate pressureand suction influences in said chamber, said chamberhavin suction-inducing means associated with said diaphragm members andconstructed and arranged to act on matter in the space between saiddiaphragms and cause one saiddiaphragm to per-- form the lift and theother said diaphragm to perform the discharge of the pump. I

- maintain a concave relation oppositelyto' each space between thediaphragms, 'means, including a manually-operable valve positionedoutside the housing, for admitting atmospheric air into the spacebetween the diaphragmsin selective volume, a pressure-actuated valve forcontrolling the flow of fluidthrough the discharge outlet,'

' mechanism for flexing said diaphragms.

4'. A pump of the character described, compris- A ing a housing havingan intake passage and a gas discharge outlet distant/therefrom,- twoflexible diaphragms supported in spaced relation in the,

housing and defining with a wall of the housing a pressure chamberbetween the intake passage and the outlet, said diaphragms being inconcave relation oppositely to each other throughout the stroke of thepump, there being a pressure-equalizing passage in' the housing 'one endof'which other during movement together in opposite directions to createalternate pressureand suction influences in said chamber, said chamberhaving means associated with said diaphragms constructed and arranged tocontrol the pressure and suction influences'in the space between saiddiarections to create alternate pressure and suction influences in saidchamber, and meansassociated with said pressure chamber for injectingliquid into and ejecting liquid from the space between the diaphragms tocompensate for volud the other stroke and extreme-stroke positions.

metric changes occurring between their mid-' stroke and extreme-strokepositions. a

10. In a pressure pump, inclusive of a liquid suction line, a dischargeline, and a pressure chamber, a closure for aside ofsaid chambercomprising a pair of spaced diaphragm'members mounted for movementtogether in alternate opposite directions to create alternate pressureand suction influences in said chamber,. and means associated with .saidpressure chamber for injecting air into and ejecting air from the spacebetween the diaphragms to compensate for volumetric changes occurringbetween their midfor volumetric changes occurring between theirmidstroke and extreme-stroke positions, and means separate. froms'aidinjecting and ejecting means for continuously introducing air into thespace between the diaphragm members.

7 which space between said diaphragms with said inlet 12. In a pumphaving an inlet passage and an outlet passage and a pumping chambertherebetween, a reciprocable'crosshead; a pair of flexible diaphragmsconnected with said crosshead and forming with said crosshead a movablewall of said chamber, said diaphragms forming a space therebetween andeach? diaphragm being convex on the side nearest to the other diaphragmso as to extend a substantial distance toward the other diaphragm; andmeans connecting the passage.

I 13. In 'a pump having an inlet passage. and an outlet passage and apumping chamber therebe tween, a reciprocable 'crosshead;' a p'airoffiexible diaphragms connected with said. crosshead and forming with saidcrosshead a movable wall of said chamber, said diaphragms forming aspace therebetween .and each diaphragm being convex on the sidenearestto the other diaphragm so as to extend a substantial distance toward then other diaphragm; means connecting the space v between said diaphragmswith said inlet passage;

and means for reciprocating said crosshead alon a substantially straightline.

JOHN H. v;

